In this article we are interested in the following problem: to find a map u : Ω → R that satisfies { Du ∈ E a.e. in Ω u(x) = φ(x) x ∈ ∂Ω where Ω is an open set of R and E is a compact isotropic set of R2×2. We will show an existence theorem under suitable hypotheses on φ. Mathematics Subject Classification. 34A60, 35F30, 52A30. Received May 14, 2004.

Not all spatial adjuncts behave alike. In some languages, certain display different marking or combinatorial possibilities than others. Recent functional-typological studies make two claims about this differential place phenomenon: (1) it is primarily motivated by noun semantics, opposing names and other nouns; (2) realized as a contrast between zero-marking overt of adjunct function. We evalua...

Case is often treated as an uninteresting part of computational processing (both parsing and generation). In the mainly free word order South Asian languages, case plays a theoretically well established role in syntactic and semantic processing. Case is used not only to help identify grammatical relations (e.g., ergatives indicate subjects), but also contributes significantly to the semantic an...

This paper investigates an alternation found with definite noun phrases in direct object position in Romanian that represents a theoretical puzzle for current theories of Differential Object Marking in this language (Gramatica Limbii Române 2005, Klein & de Swart 2011). When in direct object position and unmodified, definite noun phrases can be accompanied either by the differential object mark...

We argue that argument encoding systems that seem to involve three syntactic core cases (nominative/absolutive, ergative, accusative) are actually common ergative or accusative systems syntactically, with overt case markers for each of the two cases that disappear in intransitive contexts. Based on evidence from Kham, Djapu, Nez Perce, Upriver Halkomelem, Dyirbal, and Pitjantjatjara, we show th...

It is generally assumed that the form of the NP (proper name, definite NP, etc.) reflects the degree of activation of the referent introduced by it in the discourse (Givon 1981; Ariel 1988, etc.). I will show in this paper that the relation between a referring expression and the activation status associated with it plays an important role when trying to explain the distribution of pe-marking (i...

Low skid resistance of road marking paint is one of the major issues in the safety of vehicle drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians when traveling on the city streets. Among the variety of marking paint, two-component paint is widely used at intersections and roundabouts. Therefore, the paint used should have adequate skid resistance. The object of this study was to evaluat...

This paper focuses on a very specific aspect of a construction in HindiUrdu involving the verb ho ‘be’. The construction was previously described as displaying a pattern of differential case marking (DCM) in the literature, expressing specific semantic effects. These effects were previously compared to the contrast known as the stage-/individual-level contrast. The paper will show, however, tha...